Charlie McAvoy Suspended For Game 1 Of Eastern Conference Finals Tonight, Steven Kampfer To Fill In

The NHL Eastern Conference Finals begin tonight at TD Garden between the Bruins and Carolina Hurricanes, with a scheduled start time of 8 pm ET.

Unfortunately for Bruins sophomore defenseman Charlie McAvoy, he'll be sitting out after being handed a one-game suspension on Tuesday by the league's Department of Player Safety for his hit on Blue Jackets winger Josh Anderson late in the second period during Boston's series clinching win against Columbus.

Bruins defender Charlie McAvoy will be suspended for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals...

Due to this hit on Josh Anderson from game 6 against the Blue Jackets ⬇️

Is it the right call...?□pic.twitter.com/1OAWQxqGKf

— Sports Plug (@_SportsPlug) May 7, 2019

McAvoy was assessed a two-minute minor for an illegal check to the head.

This marks the first fine or suspension in the 21-year-old's career.

In McAvoy's place tonight will be veteran Steven Kampfer, who skated in 35 regular season games for the Bruins, as well as in Game 3 against the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round (3-2 loss, 11:06 ice-time).